LEGAL ASSISTANT PROJECT SPECIALIST

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry is seeking an experienced Legal Assistant Project Specialist for its Office of the General Counsel in Phoenix, Arizona. The role performs specialized administrative and legal support work managing the end-to-end life cycle of subpoenas, court orders, and public records requests served on the department. It also applies relevant skills and processes to complex Public Records Requests (PRRs), following regulatory guidelines and ensuring statutory exceptions are properly applied. The position tracks and reports requests, independently composes professional correspondence, and consults closely with internal managers, attorneys, and personnel, as well as external customers.

The position requires travel on State business throughout Arizona, potentially including overnight stays. Employment is contingent on passing a background investigation. Employees must take a tuberculosis test during New Employee Orientation and annually thereafter. Employees operating a motor vehicle on State business must meet applicable driver’s license, training, insurance, and driving-record requirements. Newly hired State employees must successfully complete E-Verify.

Requirements

• Pass a pre-employment background investigation.
• Take a tuberculosis test during New Employee Orientation and annually thereafter.
• Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• If driving a motor vehicle on State business, possess and retain a current, valid, class-appropriate driver’s license; complete required training and driver’s license record checks; maintain an acceptable driving record; and, when using a personally owned vehicle, maintain the statutorily required liability insurance.
• Knowledge of Arizona statutes and guidelines governing public records.
• Knowledge of administrative proceedings and litigation processes.
• Knowledge of data entry application systems.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing ADCRR operations.
• Knowledge of professional records management practices, including retention schedules, classification, and secure storage of sensitive data.
• Skill in interpreting and fulfilling complex legal requests, such as subpoenas, court orders, and discovery requests involving personnel and medical records.
• Skill in using specialized records management systems, databases, and standard office software to track and manage large volumes of data.
• Skill in researching complex records, conducting audits, and synthesizing data into concise inventory or quality control reports.
• Ability to use critical and analytical thinking.
• Ability to perform high-level, difficult work under pressure while meeting legal deadlines and organizational goals.
• Ability to communicate clearly and tactfully with diverse stakeholders, including law enforcement, court officials, legal counsel, and the general public.
• Ability to exercise discretion and professional judgment when handling sensitive inmate, medical, and personnel information.
• Ability to analyze office workflows, identify inefficiencies, and implement streamlined quality control measures.

Nice To Haves

• Experience performing complex administrative work in a criminal justice or law office environment.

Responsibilities

• Process all incoming subpoenas and court orders for the Custodian of Records.
• Coordinate records retrieval, review records for responsiveness to court orders, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and departmental rules, regulations, and policies.
• Perform advanced text, audio, and video redactions and securely produce compliant responsive records within strict court deadlines.
• Manage complex Public Records Requests according to regulatory guidelines.
• Review requests, clarify their scope with requesters, and research internal files to gather responsive records.
• Apply statutory exemptions using advanced digital text, audio, and video redaction tools; compose correspondence; and assist with improving PRR policies.
• Consult with the Office of the General Counsel and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and provide legal support in related litigation.
• Drive on State business and travel throughout the state, with possible overnight stays.
• Perform other duties appropriate to the assignment.

Benefits

• Vacation and sick days, with 10 paid holidays per year.
• Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child (pilot program).
• Affordable insurance options, including medical, dental, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
• Retirement program through the Arizona State Retirement System; enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of employment.
• Optional deferred compensation plans.
• Credit union membership.
• Wellness program.
• Incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed